Old schoolhouse sat abandoned. Couple turns it into dream home

[@deniseferron3397]

That schoolhouse got lucky and snagged itself an architect and a teacher as owners. And not just any architect - one who specializes in historical preservation!! The perfect family for the perfect house in a perfect village.

[@lisareed5669]

That girls wore dresses "explanation" is malarkey.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

@@lisareed5669 Maybe, but it's pretty funny and could be true. Otherwise, why have two doors and two staircases?

[@lisareed5669]

@@sbffsbrarbrr it's been a long-standing custom to separate girls and boys.

[@ayatollahlalalola]

@@lisareed5669 They were taught together it's a one-room school house.

[@sandyschneider6792]

❤️💖💗😍🎉🎉

[@DragonfliesAntiques]

My husband and I almost bought this schoolhouse in 1988. My husband's family, the Sykes had a very long and storied past in North Weare owning 600 acres just around the corner from this building. Prior to being a Sykes home, it was the Flanders Farm, and before that the Emerson's, all of which was one family going back through many generations. His family-owned their farmhouse and barn for over 100 years. You sure did a beautiful job.

[@RockerRed]

👍

[@flautalee3090]

How nice of you to send your comment!❤

[@flautalee3090]

My elementary school in Seattle WA looked very old to me when I began First Grade in the fall of 1960. (edit: I found it large and frightening, to be honest -I’m thinking now that it was likely built in the early 1900’s.) The school had separate entrances for girls and boys. Girls wore dresses. When it snowed we wore pants underneath our dresses. I think I walked to school by myself, down down a huge hill in the am, returning up the large hill in the afternoon. I missed a lot of school that year from ear infections and then having my tonsils and adenoids out. I’m sure my mom and dad helped me keep up with my class. I learned to read.❤🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thanks Mom and Dad!🎉

[@leonardodalongisland]

Do you recall how much it was going for?

[@DragonfliesAntiques]

@@leonardodalongisland this was probably in the early nineties but I would say it was probably a 100 to 125k the trouble we had was not buying the peace but then being able to restore it and we needed a place to live with two small kids.

[@buddyneher9359]

Everything about this project is heartwarming! The family taking it on together, the preservation of town history, the design, the colours, the materials..... a feast for the soul. Thank you!

[@oki134]

I used to drive by this house every day and saw the change. They did an amazing job keeping the character.

[@StephanieJoRountree]

I love home conversions preserving historic buildings.

[@sg639]

Agreed. I wish there were more incentives for people to do this in the small Midwestern towns of Ohio and Michigan. Plenty of beautiful buildings ready for a second life.

[@temitopeej8407]

One of my childhood friend's lives in a converted lighthouse and I love it so much.

[@rsuriyop]

They did a fantastic job with this. But it takes not just money, but commitment and know how to make it all come together perfectly. And just the right people came to the rescue.

[@KrisHughes]

Thank you for not turning into a "sleek" modern horror. A lot of older schools in the UK have separate girls and boys entrances.

[@lagringa7518]

I went to a one room schoolhouse like that, the best school and teachers in my life! Every day was an adventure. Perfect... the older or brighter kids helped the younger and slower ones, we were outside under a huge pine tree when the weather was good, wonderful for poetry and botany, the 3Rs inside when the weather was bad, it was much more free flowing than the regimented schools of today... lots of good memories. This would be a great place to live, they've done a beautiful job!

[@Artasim]

Wow, may i ask you please how old are you? And where were you styduing?

[@lagringa7518]

@@Artasim 75 , a very small town in northern California. 😉 People don't understand how much the world has changed in the last 60 years. 🤣 It really was a kinder place where people actually cared about each other and there was an incredible sense of community.... in small towns.

[@blueman5924]

Same here, in central BC🇨🇦 community. Fond memories of getting the “strap”(hands, not butt) by the principal….but I’m sure I deserved it for something.😂 My best childhood friend and his new bride ended up buying it and transforming it into a livable space, complete with an old urinal for him. Plus it came with 5acres of pasture for her beloved mare. cheers.🤙

[@lagringa7518]

@@blueman5924 Both of my 1room teachers were great and never used corporal punishment, that happened later in a far bigger school, one teacher had a ping pong paddle and another would make you stand on tiptoes and then you put your nose in a circle he drew on the chalkboard... diabolical. Then there was the year with the nuns, they were fond of rulers across the knuckles 🤨. I must have been a very bad child I suppose, while I never remembered what I did wrong, I'll never forget them. 😇

[@Artasim]

@@lagringa7518 I am very greatful to you for answering me! So it was about 60 yrs ago?? I am 28, and just as i can tell according to my observations and consultations it is getting worse for every generation. I am interested in education, and being a psychologyst myself and working with kids as well can see how much adults affected by kindergardens and schools in a bad way. And mostly because of the teacher's treatment. Now I did my research and find out that teachers in schools are under collosal pressure of formalities they shoud do and rules they need to follow at least in my country. Most of them are not helping kids to get any actual knowledge but simply check the information of styduing materials they have! So i have a feeling that i've never had experienced some real education except of reading stories about Tom Sawyer of course. I would appreciate if you could tell me more about your life back then. It may can help me to make right methodology and avoid mistakes of my own. If you don't mind to have some short conversations please let me know about it on my email: [e-mail]

[@carolewarner101]

WOW! What a wonderful job they did on that old schoolhouse. How lucky for the community that a restoration architect couple came to town and bought it with restoration, WITH THEIR KIDS, on their mind! A match made in heaven. Gorgeous...

[@claymccleery9451]

It takes an architect, with vision, to preserve/conserve such a beautiful structure.

[@mmatson5030]

One of the best repurposed homes I've seen in a long time! Thanks for sharing!

[@xbrandi12345x]

I am next door in Maine and I love it! It makes me sad when people don't appreciate historical buildings and just knock them done but you appreciated this building and restored it without making it lose its New England charm and you did an amazing job. This is gorgeous!

[@beaterose3759]

I love that they incorporated the memories of the building and left those intact, like the kids carving their name sinto the walls. What a stunning preservation!

[@hadeev]

My goodness, the term one-room schoolhouse is underrated. This place is immense, and feels like it’s never-ending!

[@tlockerk]

Love the school, my Gram who is 103 also taught in one room, rural Kansas.She's a hoot today, and in her county she's still referred to as "Mrs. Smith" by the senior citizens she taught.

[@SpanishEclectic]

I loved the job they did on this school. Handy to have a spouse who is a historic preservation architect!! I like that they didn't make it overly modern.The tin ceiling and original windows make the difference. My paternal grandmother as born in 1894, and received her teaching credential in 1912. She taught at several one room school houses in rural Northern Wisconsin, as well as in North Dakota. Driving the horse and wagon to school and chopping wood for the stove to make a hot breakfast (oatmeal, usually) for the children were some of my favorite stories as a child. I still have her sheet music (the Little Red Riding Hood operetta is amazing!), textbooks, and other books of poetry and classic literature. The artwork in them is wonderful. Loved the nod to the ancestry of their children. A really nice family. I enjoy the really fascinating homes you explore. :)

[@Artasim]

Nice story thank you for sharing!!

[@judithcoloma613]

This schoolhouse home is just beautiful. I love seeing older buildings renovated rather than torn down. Kreg and Danielle, you did a marvelous job.

[@leroyessel2010]

What a wonderful accomplishment and so glad to witness this award winning presentation on KZbin!

[@jeannewenrick7265]

When I grew up, my parents restored a Kirkland Cutter home in Spokane Washington. They worked very hard to maintain the historic aspects of it. I really appreciate the care that was taken to preserve the original structure of the schoolhouse. I love everything about it. Well done.

[@mollysmith6055]

As someone who grew up in Spokane, I thank your parents for the work they did. The Kirkland Cutter influences on Spokane were so rich and should always be treasured.

[@SoCalFreelance]

There is a tiny, charming brick library built in 1883 with amazing details that I think about converting every time I walk by it.

[@alysong5568]

You absolutely should! One project at a time. One room at a time.

[@rgbeee.1826]

I had no idea that this building is just a few miles from me in NH. It is a beautiful rural town. Excellent work!

[@suelyons531]

This couple did a magnificent job! Thank you Kirsten for bringing this to all of us!

[@davidobrien3563]

Just love it. My favorite video of the week. This is what people think of when they think of a One room schoolhouse conversion.

[@mrfancygoat]

I passed by this place abandoned everyday to school growing up. I'm pretty sure everyone in town talked about buying it up and doing something with it but no one ever did.

[@MrPhotodoc]

Those guys did a great job and even tried to keep clues of the past history visible. Nice!

[@roserocks1979]

That is wonderful! I love how they kept so much the same. The tin ceiling, the carved names, the worn stairs. Generations gone, and now new ones will be able to see them.

[@sharonadlam3195]

What a respectful restoration

[@bill6390]

I used to live in Weare and drove by this house countless times. What a fantastic conversion!

[@leslielutz6140]

All that brick is so special. It looks like a blown up Christmas tree ornament. Perfect.

[@Saknika]

The shock when Albany, NY is mentioned! That's near me! Bravo to this couple though. It's so nice to see things preserved instead of graywashed and modernized.

[@milliehicks7436]

This home is perfect for this family! Beautiful renovation with a beautiful history! I love seeing people renovate historic buildings while keeping as much as the history as possible. 🥰❤

[@ThePinkBlush]

This warms the heart, to see a beautiful old building getting saved and restored by people who have such respect and appreciation for the original features like the worn wooden stairs, floors and brick walls 🥰

[@sarahburke8955]

I really appreciate the blend of antique and modern in the design elements. I'm more of a traditionalist, but I feel they did a great job of respecting the historicity while still making it their own.

[@pacificnorthwestgirl2725]

The new owners did such an amazing job restoring this old schoolhouse into a new home. I loved learning about the history of this place. It turned out beautiful and even the little Russian and Ukranian art pieces added were so unique. Thank you for sharing.

[@GingerNinja1]

There's too much to say so I'll keep it short. I appreciate when ppl who use their gifted skills & take an existing piece of history & breathe new life into it. This is one of the most incredible homes I've seen to date & I live in a beautiful historic district so that's saying a lot. The use of existing bones, leaving the kids etched carvings, the color scheme, just everything is absolutely stunning. How blessed that town is to have these two living there. ❤

[@lorrizzo]

This is so cool to preserve the energy and the history of the school!!!! I love it!!!! Thank you for saving this school house and turning it into a beautiful home!!! Love it!!!

[@fredsimmons2793]

All the character, work,the love that went into this restoration is so hope inspiring.And then Kirsten running it all down and presenting it to us is the crowning touch.

[@tamararagerart2344]

This is amazing. I went K through eighth grade in a one room school house in Gordon Nebraska. It had a bell tower, and occasionally we had bats in the school house. That was always thrilling. This is amazing. You guys just did an amazing job.😊

[@karensmith9662]

This is truly an inspiring conversion! I loved the preservation of the old brick walls and the old wood moldings.

[@domispiaggia]

This is such a beautiful conversion - really weaving a cozy home while respecting the heritage

[@josephforsuh6929]

The landscaping out front works beautifully. Some of the most impactful I have ever seen. Lovely dark rich ground covering/soil with the green plants dotted around. Love the play on curves to work off the entrance. They have improved the site 1000%

[@MaryDalton64]

The restoration and converting into a family home is beautiful. I love seeing someone take an old, abandoned space and breathe new life into it while still preserving so much of the original feel and architectural details. This was definitely the right family to take on this project. They have made a gorgeous home for themselves while still honoring the original purpose of the building and it's place in local history.

[@pamengland7863]

One of my favorite towns (or Villages) to drive through was Weare. We used to joke how great it would be to literally live in the middle of No. Weare. It’s so great you two were on top of it to snag this property. New Hampshire is gorgeous & friendly & a way of life there is just deep rooted in these family/generation homes. The bell tower is fantastic. Having the photos from days long gone by is a treasure.

[@jonchalk3855]

Love this school-turned-home.

[@PhilSpitze]

Thank you for featuring this beautiful piece of work and architecture from my hometown! I was one of the many who dreamed of such a project and I’m so happy to see it completed with such care. ❤

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

I went to a school like this in Rural Missour in the 1950's. First thru third on the main floor, fourth thru sixth upstairs. 3 rows of desks in the room, 7 people in my 3rd grade in 1 row, The basement had the kitchen, bathrooms, and the gym. Saturday nights was a community dance in the gym

[@SaskiaTheBoss]

i truly enjoyed this property & the establishment of its origin! it’s admirable to see a community truly appreciate a valuable part of their history, with owners whom honor the property’s true value.

[@Laura-g1c1l]

The loveliest and best school conversion I have EVER seen. Really perfectly done in every way.

[@kj7653]

Beautiful job. I am very impressed by how you preserved so much of the original features and characters of the school house. Saving the children's names is priceless.

[@mrgreene3290]

wonderful conversion. Friend bought an old church and the neighborhood was a bit nervous about what she was going to do with it; she turned it into a used bookstore/book exchange store and it's worked out very well.

[@sandrahowell9266]

I love this, I always wanted a old schoolhouse to remodel. May you have many more experiences you love. ❤❤😊😊💙💚😃🙂🥰👍

[@serenakoleno9338]

Me too, they look so cute! My dad attended one in rural Pennsylvania.

[@sandrahaller1273]

Love it !!! Appreciate when people save old buildings. Another cool one is the 1870 Studio in Pennsylvania. An old church saved by a lovely couple.

[@terryyounts8220]

Oh my goodness, Kristen. What a great project!!! Much love to you and your family from Appalachia Kentucky.

[@lisabrightly]

The perfect people bought this home. Beautiful!

[@sequoiawarner6756]

Perhaps the best restoration I’ve seen. So delightful, and a very attractive home!

[@beverlysmith9854]

Beautiful inside and out! Love the landscaping and colors.

[@RichardSedona]

Kirsten, enjoy your website so much. Like how you ask fun questions while filming.... 🏡

[@mariastellamelendez8670]

This building was just waiting for this family. The husband is an Architect who specialized in historic buildings and the wife is a Professor a perfect partnership for this building. They did a perfect job. The property is jut beautiful.

[@katherinekelly5380]

Love how they changed the front door - saving the charm but making it practical for how we live today

[@serenadevon]

Love this whole project 😍! So nice to see historical buildings done over & enjoyed for future generations! LOVE that bed board! 🏚️🏫❤🎉

[@justmaria5806]

You guys find the most interesting and off the beaten path places to showcase. Thank you. Your channel has always been and continues to be interesting, thought-provoking, and a wonderful way of bringing the world into our homes.

[@Ash-zr9sf]

I love the simple updates to the exterior, lots of respect that they stayed true to the original. ❤

[@lindaduncan5541]

Absolutely beautiful restoration! So many wonderful historical touches! So much character! Impressive! The landscape is beautiful too! 💕

[@dianajones8598]

This is a beautiful home I'm so glad they saved the school house and turn it into a home and it still feels like a schoolhouse at the same time because of their love for their children. Beautiful ❤️😍

[@joyce52]

Love your little school house home. I am from the coal region in PA and lived in a very small little town where we attended school in a one room schoolhouse. People can not believe it when I tell them how we had an old crock in the back of the room with a pie pan ontop, for our drinking water. There were only 2 boys in 8th grade and they were the ones who kept the fire going in the pot bellied stove, to keep us warm. I have been sitting here totally amazed with what you did with this school because my school was torn down and we were transported by bus to other towns. We could no longer walk to school like we enjoyed doing. I still have a class photo of all the students that was taken when I was in first grade and I am now 79. The memories of that kind of living are still very vivid for me.

[@NHMOMBIE]

This is absolutely gorgeous and only about an hour from me. I had no idea it existed. I love visiting one room schoolhouses, I am glad they saved this one and gave it a new life.

[@rprprpp]

Stumbled on this video and immediately recognized the schoolhouse! We lived just down the road from it for many years! Always wondered why no one bought it and renovated it! Such a charming little building and plot of land! My great grandmother was born in East Weare and wondered if she went to school there. We lived in North Weare, and yes we would say we would answer "No Where" when asked where we lived! So glad to see that someone bought it finally and preserved the historical parts, including the children's carvings.

[@goudagirl6095]

Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love old building reno's - my dream was to renovate an old school, gas station, or other type of property, and make it a home. Never got the chance to do that, but I love looking at homes where the owners were able to do that, so fascinating. And this is truly the perfect couple to have done this reno! And what a great story the home has to tell guests!

[@mason-dixon-north]

Such an amazing transformation! I'm thrilled that someone gave this historic building a second chance! I used to live in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1873 here in PA. It still has the original chalkboard, windows, flooring, working shutters, and wood pegs that hold it all together!

[@bradleycavrak8013]

Of all the places you've visited, this is by far the most beautiful home. Not just what or how they did the reno, but the rich history of education in the property. Amazing.

[@robynbohbot3709]

WOW - what a wonderful home - love that they saved the integrity of the school house. So beautiful.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

That was my reaction also.....WOW! And that was before I even saw the interior.

[@dawnpence6556]

It's a really beautiful makeover from school to home! Wow! It's really Dreamy!!! Everything came out very smart and creative and absolutely gorgeous.....except for that bed though. That bed frame right out of the exorcism. Paint it or ditch it and you have a super pearl! Excellent job!

[@birdie9680]

This beautiful old building definitely wound up in the right hands! Such an amazing job, and with such love and reverence. THANK YOU!!😊

[@Laura-it2zb]

Their respect, appreciation and embrace of what came before gives my heart joy. Upcycling the doors into a bedframe, loved it. There, sadly, aren't many architectural salvage resale places left in Albany anymore, but, hearing my home mentioned always brings a smile. I couldn't take my eyes off the trunk ... I have an almost identical one that's saw some time on the old D&H rail line; Albany, NY is stenciled on it's side. Thank you, I really enjoyed this video.

[@BradThePitts]

Thanks for showing the entry from THE GARAGE which is the way most people enter their own home. This is wildly neglected architecturally!

[@peggystein3745]

What a treasure i love it!! I used to live in a converted 1 room wooden schollhouse in texas years ago it was much smaller but was so awesome. Had great spirit! God bless and thank you for sharing!!

[@eshellebennett]

oh how lovely. I imagine if my parents were still here they would have taken this venture. my mother was a vintage and h&g queen. she planned their retirement around a old build project but she passed on before reaching that stage of life. This is just gorg. I love when people take on the old and refresh it and not take away its old natural beauty.

[@yiraldi89]

I was delighted with how they were able to remodel the old school and turn it into a home, but without leaving the history aside.

[@evelyn2178]

What a beautiful School house turned into a beautiful home.

[@khanhhoangngoc7865]

Thank you very much..!

[@LifeAdviceSite]

Me, a lover of history who always wanted to restore an old school or church, pausing my KZbin scroll: “Heck yeah I’ll watch this!” 😊 Me, a life-long Granite State girl, during the opening scene: “Oh! NEW HAMPSHIRE! 😍” Thank you. ❤ This was wonderful. Amazing how much space they squeezed out of that tiny schoolhouse! 🎉

[@einzgeisha]

This home, the parents, and its history is so enlightening!

[@Rebecca-pr3fn]

Wow I’ve always wanted to change a church into a home. Fantastic job 🩷🩷🩷

[@libbyjensen1858]

Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful houses I've seen on this channel! This is STUNNING!!!! And the button on the radio is WCCO-a CBS affiliated radio station in the Twin Cities (MN)! I grew up listening to it because my mom had it on everyday as she did her house work! It's amazing that they have that on their radio!

[@LouisaSharp]

Beautiful home. My husband spent his early years up in South Laggan Scotland U.K. and went to a small one roomed school where all ages were taught it is now a home too. his dad worked for the forestry.

[@BenjamintheTortoise]

This is just magical!! 💖 Thank you for sharing this treasure with us... What a treat! 💞😊

[@asdisskagen6487]

This house is STUNNING. They have done such a fantastic job with this!

[@mikab350]

WoW - taken aback wit the seperate stairs to preserve the integrityvof the male and female students

[@liannebedard5521]

That was standard before WW2.

[@MariaCarabin]

I stayed in an airbnb in England (Cornwall, an Ex church with church windows and all), that gave me the same vibe. I'd buy this one immediately or would by something like this!

[@Marsena]

This is the second KZbin video I've seen where a family converted a school into a home. Beautiful!!!

[@michellecelesteNW]

So many lovely preserved details and beautiful new ones. Wonderful job!

[@norahdenovan8658]

How great to restore this important piece of history, just lovely. Well done. 👍🙏

[@msjazzib]

Love the history and commentary-every detail about the building and its restoration made for a wonderfully fulfilling watch. I don’t know this family, but I feel that I understand them based on how they went about restoring and decorating the place. Architecture is such a beautiful, psychological, and heart-warming profession 🖤

[@ZoeyZee]

This is truly such an amazing project. They did an incredible job at restoring this old school.

[@amyspeers8012]

What a lovely restoration! My mother went to a one room school house for 8 years-there was a high school school in a neighboring town. My grandfather and great grandfather both went to the same school. My great great grandfather donated the land and built the school house. Education was very important to my family. When it was no longer in use, my mother was able to get her desk-like a Laura Ingalls desk. I used it as my bed side table for years. Unfortunately, the school was wooden and it actually caught fire and burned down. This was in NW Missouri.

[@harrisonandrew]

That is one of the very best repurpose projects I have ever seen. Everything that has been done to that property is perfect. I wouldn’t change a single thing. Respect to all involved. ❤

[@ifiveoh]

Oh dear, the old white trim and windows looked so much better!

[@janekennelly5462]

My husband's grandfather had the same trunk! It sits in our living room. He came from Ireland with it. He met an Irishwoman over here in America, they married and here we are.

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

Simply stunning. How fortuitous to have someone with their background in architecture and historical preservation buy the place. He mentioned taking off a year from work. I wonder how long it actually took them to complete and the cost. It was a lot work. What a great thing to share with their son. Also, New England really is a gorgeous. Trying to imagine it in the Fall.

[@bonilla2022]

WOW!, Skills, talent, art, architecture. Wonderful video. 🏫